1314 ADMINISTRATION AND LEGISLATION [PART V 
are still less so; the Provinces of the Union which rank by 
the white male population are really county councils. 
§ 5. Frags 
The flying of flags is regulated by Nos. 148-55 of the 
Colonial Regulations. The royal standard was formerly 
flown at Government House on the King’s birthday and on 
the anniversary of the King’s accession and coronation ; 
since 1911, however, the Union flag with the badge of the 
Colony is flown at Government House daily from sunrise 
to sunset. The Union flag with the approved arms or 
badge of the Colony, emblazoned in the centre on a white 
shield surrounded by a green garland, is used by an officer 
administering the Government, when embarked on board 
ship. The blue ensign with the arms or badge of the Colony 
emblazoned in the centre of the fly (viz. the part between 
the Union Jack and the end of the flag), and the pendant, 
are to be flown by all armed vessels in the service of a 
Dominion Government ;! if not armed, the pendant, the 
characteristic sign of a man-of-war, is omitted, but the blue 
ensign is to be flown. All other vessels registered as belong- 
ing to the King’s subjects in the Dominions will fly the red 
ensign without any badge except where specially authorized 
by warrant from His Majesty or from the Admiralty. Such 
warrants have, however, been issued in the case of Canada, 
the Commonwealth of Australia, and New Zealand, and 
since 1911 in the Union of South Africa.? Merchant vessels 
of the Dominions may carry distinguishing flags with the 
badge of the Colony thereon in addition to the red ensign, 
orovided that such flags do not infringe s. 73 (2) of the 
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. 
" It is so flown by the Australian flotilla and the Canadian armed vessels. 
But the agreement of 1911 will alter this; see Parl. Pap., Cd. 5746-2; 
below Part VIII, chap. ili. Yacht clubs which are granted the title ‘Royal’ 
oy the King are allowed to fly the blue ensign defaced with the club badge 
on approval by the Admiralty. Naval flags are regulated by law in the 
Merchant Shipping Act, 1894. 
* For the history of the new flag with the badge, see Ewart, Kingdom of 
Canada, pp. 85-71; 52 & 53 Vict. ¢. 73; Admiralty warrant for Canada, 
February 2, 1892,